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Hawaii Eviction Moratorium Ends Soon

July 19, 2021

From the Office for Social Ministry

Beginning Friday, August 6^th, 2021, the state will end its temporary halt on rental evictions. While this may cause anxiety and stress for people at-risk of facing homelessness, the good news is that there is still a small window of opportunity to avoid pending eviction. Governor Ige recently signed Act 57 in an effort to help landlords get paid, while offering renters extra time to seek mediation or apply for emergency relief funds. The new law will go into effect on August 7^th, 2021 and amends the current Hawaii State Landlord-Tenant Code for one year, which will include the following key changes:

• increase normal 5-day eviction notice to 15 days;
• grant renters the right to mediation; and
• allow courts to consider judgment on eviction cases involving back rent of 4 months or more.

The moratorium was implemented back in April 2020 as a way to protect those experiencing loss of jobs and income during the pandemic. However, now that many residents have been vaccinated and are back to work, state lawmakers hope the new measure will motivate people to seek creative ways in resolving housing disputes.

To find out more about rights and responsibilities following the eviction moratorium, please see a complete listing of the state’s eviction moratorium resources. Tenants and landlords can also learn more about the upcoming eviction process and rental and utility assistance program by visiting the following websites at Mediation Center of the Pacific  and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.

It is important for landlords to be aware that there are many federal and state assistance programs to help them continue providing affordable housing to tenants in need through Emergency Housing Vouchers and Oahu Housing Now. If you are a property owner seeking more information, please join the upcoming Landlord Engagement virtual information session on July 29, 2021 @ 6:30-8pmhosted by the Office of the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness.

Please note the session will be conducted using “Microsoft Teams” which requires you to download the app via mobile phone or desktop prior to joining the meeting at the following link:

Click here to join the Landlord Engagement Virtual meeting

Or you may also call in (audio only) using the following phone number: +1 808-829-4853 and Phone Conference ID: 533 760 811#.

For more information about Landlord Engagement, go to https://homelessness.hawaii.gov/landlord-engagement/or for details about the virtual session, contact Cheryl Bellisario directly at
Phone : (808)586-0009 or
Email:  cheryl.a.bellisario@hawaii.gov

Other related queries may also be directed to Iwie Tamashiro of the Office for Social Ministry at itamashiro@rcchawaii.org.